Lighter assembly



y 1, 1966 R. s. PIFFATH 3,253,430

LIGHTER ASSEMBLY Filed March 10, 1964 INVENTOR. RODNEY S. PIFFATH BY m zmk #J VM ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,253,430 LIGHTER ASSEMBLY Rodney S. Pitfath, New York, N.Y., assignor to Firefly Lighter Inc., New York, N.Y., a corporation of New York Filed Mar. 10, 1964, Scr. No. 350,849 15 Claims. (Cl. 677.1)

The present invention relates generally to gas fueled lighters and moreparticularly to a lighter assembly wherein all parts except the ignition mechanism are replaceable and wherein a simply and inexpensively constructed external valve mechanism is provided for controlling the discharge of fuel.

Generally, the lighter assembly of the present invention includes a disposable fuel tank or cartridge for holding a supply of pressurized fuel and valve mechanism and a cooperating control actuator attached at one end of the tank for controlling the discharge of the fuel. The valve mechanism of the present invention is itself disposable and is provided with its own fuel discharge nozzle. In construction, the valve is made in the general shape of an elongated cup-shaped cap and is slidably mounted on an intermediate nozzle fixed to the fuel tank. In the preferred embodiment of the lighter constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention the valve mechanism is continually urged from a closed to an open position by the pressure existing in the fuel tank and the control actuator is used to prevent such movement until it is desired to produce a light. In addition to the above, the valve mechanism of the present invention is constructed in such a manner whereby attachment to the fuel tank is made by a simple sliding fit which effectively controls the fuel discharge and thereby eliminates the cost usually incurred in conventional lighter constructions where close tolerances between the parts are required for producing an acceptable control of the fuel discharge.

In accordance with the teachings of the presentinvention, all of the parts of the fuel cartridge including the va-lve mechanism and actuator mechanism which are subject to wear and fatigue are constructed as a unit and as such form a throw-away assembly that is discarded after the fuel supplyhas been exhausted. The remaining parts of the lighter of the present invention define, on the other hand, a reusable portion that is retained for attachment to successive fuel cartridges and which includes only the ignition mechanism and associated supporting structure. As compared with the disposable portion of the lighter, the ignition mechanism is virtually indestructible under normal conditions.

A fuller understanding of the present invention will be obtained from a reading of the following specification and an examination of the accompanying drawings of which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the lighter assembly constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the throwaway assembly of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the cap portion of the throw-away assembly of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the valve mechanism shown in FIG. 2; and

FIG. 5 is a perspective view partially in cross-section of the ignition head assembly of the present invention.

As shown in the drawings, the lighter assembly of the present invention generally designated at 1 includes a throw-away assembly 2 and an ignition head assembly 3. The throw-away assembly itself includes a fuel tank or container 4 for holding a supply of lighter fuel such as 3,253,430 Patented May 31, 1966 compressed liquid butane and, in the preferred construction, the fuel tank is injection molded from a suitable plastic material such as Cycolac 500 manufactured by The Marbon Chemical Division of Borg Warner. This material is used since it is both fire resistant and crack proof under normal conditions to which the lighter will be subjected. In the preferred construction, the fuel tank is formed with a slight taper extending away from the open end thereof and at its upper end is provided with a flat seating portion 5 adapted to receive a closure cap 6 which completes the fuel tank and which may also be injection molded from Cycolac 500 or other suitable plastic material. As shown in FIG. 2 the cap portion of the fuel tank is advantageously formed with spaced ribs 5' on the base thereof for purposes described below. A filling hole 7 countersunk at 8 is provided in the lower end of the tank 4 for purposes of filling and is adapted to receive a .suitalble plug member 9 and cooperating neoprene washer 9'.

As shown in FIG. 2, the cap 6 includes a tank discharge nozzle 10 integrallyv formed thereon with a discharge orifice 11 extending therethrough into communication with a wick hole 12 formed in the base of the cap 6 for holding a wick 12. Preferably the wick includes a spiral cotton string surrounded by rigid covering 1-2" extruded from polyethylene. In addition to the discharge nozzle 10, the cap is also provided with an intergrally formed U-shaped extension member 1'1 spaced from the discharge nozzle with the open end thereof facing in a di rection along the axis '12-12 intersecting the nozzle 10. The legs of the extension member 11 are provided with pivot holes 13 aligned at right angles to the axis 12-12. As shown in FIG. 2, the outer dimensions of the cap are slightly smaller than the outer dimensions of the fuel tank 4 so as to provide a ledge or shoulder 14 when the two parts are assembled. Also, for purposes of quick assembly, the cap is provided with an integrally formed lower extension 15. The extension has a shape and size complementary to the shape and size of the opening in the fuel tank 4 and upon insertion into the fuel tank, the cap will become automatically aligned with respect to the tank for permanently sealing thereto by a suitable solvent bond or heat seal.

A discharge control lever 20 is pivotally attached to the extension member 11 by means of a pivot pin 21 secured in the pivot holes 113. A compression spring 22 is mounted in the back end of the U-shaped extension and engages against one end of the lever 20. A regulating pin 23 is threaded into the back end of the lever 20 for gas metering purposes more fully described below. The other end of the lever overlies the discharge nozzle 10 and is adapted to hold a valve cover 30 in sealed engagement therewith.

The valve cover 30 and cooperating tank discharge nozzle 10 are shown most clearly in FIG. 4. In the preferred construction, the nozzle 10 is formed with an outside diameter of about .120 and the valve cover 30 with an approximately equal inside diameter so as to fit around the nozzle with a sliding connection. Preferably, the valve cover 30 is made of neoprene having a durometer hardness of approximately 70-80. The side of the valve cover 30 is provided with an orifice 31 inwhich a fuel discharge nozzle 32 is positioned. The dimensions of the orifice 31 and nozzle 32 are such as to effect a press fit between the two parts. The nozzle 32 is preferably brass and is provided with a passageway 33 extending therethrough for connecting the interior of the cover to the ambient atmosphere. Finally, the back side of the valve cover is advantageously provided with a flat surface 34 adapted to abut against the ends of the U-shaped member 11' to prevent rotation of the valve cover about the nozzle.

As described above, the valve cover 30 is adapted to cooperate with the tank nozzle 10 of the fuel tank for dispensing gas therefrom. More specifically, the nozzle 10 is provided with a tapered end 40 having a centrally located tapered recess 41 communicating with the orifice 11 and in turn defining a valve seat 42 against which the inner surface of the valve cover is adapted to seat. As shown in FIG. 4, the nozzle 10 is also provided with a cut out portion 44 spaced from the valve cover and extending from the tapered end 40 to a point opposite the discharge nozzle 32. When the valve cover is seated against the seat 42, the flow of fuel between the fuel tank 4 and the discharge nozzle 32 is prevented; however, when the cover is raised a slight distance on the tank nozzle 10, a passageway is readily provided for the escape of fuel to the dis charge nozzle 32. As shown in FIG. 4, the orifice 11 of the nozzle is provided with a plug 45 in surface contact with the wall thereof. Preferably, the plug and orifice are formed with complementary diameters of .036" so as to obstruct the flow of fuel to a rate that will support a flame of approximately 2 /2 inches at normal room temperature and normal atmosphere when the valve cover is raised to permit substantially free flow of the gas from the orifice to the discharge nozzle 32.

In assembling the above described parts of the lighter of the present invention, and in particular the lever and the valve cover, a compression spring 22 is chosen which will normally hold the lever 20 in engagement with the top of the valve cover and the valve cover, in turn, seated against the seat 42 of the nozzle 10. Accordingly, the strength of the spring will depend on the pressure of the fuel within the tank urging the cover in an upward direction. In the preferred construction, the gas in the tank is under a pressure of approximately 38 to 40 p.s.i. at

normal temperature and atmosphere and the sliding fit between the nozzle 10 is such that this pressure will cause fuel to issue from the orifice 11 with sufficient force to unseat the valve cover when the movement of the latter is unobstructed. In filling the tank 4, fuel is fed through the filling hole 7 after the cap portion of the tank and associated parts have been attached. If desired, the lever may be positively held in engagement with the cover 30 to prevent unseating during the filling operation. After the filling has been completed, the plug 9 is secured in the counterbore 8 with the neoprene washer 9' seated against the bottom of the bore 8.

The resulting structure defines the throw-away assembly 2 of the present invention and it will be noted from the above description that the various parts are formed from material that is relatively strong but capable of giving or slight distortion whereby the parts may be assembled without the usual close tolerances present in conventional constructions and this is particularly true with respect to the sliding connection between the nozzle 10 and exteriorly disposed valve mechanism 30. The degree to which the cover 30 is sealed to the nozzle below the cut out portion 44 is not critical with applicants construction since, when the valve cover is in its normal closed position, sealing will be effected at the seat 42, and when the cover is in its raised position, the released fuel will tend to flow along the path of least resistance, and this path is along the cut-out 44 and through the discharge nozzle 32 rather than out the bottom of the cover.

The remaining portion of lighter assembly of the present invention defines the ignition head assembly 3 and as shown in FIG. is formed with a skirt portion 50 havan inner shape complementary to the shape of the base portion of the cap 6. The inner dimensions of the skirt are preferably equal to or slightly greater than the outside dimensions of the base portion of the cap 6, however, the permitted tolerances between the parts is greater than in conventional lighters due to the raised ribs 5' provided on the base portion of the cap. Only two of these ribs are shown in the drawings although it is understood that similar ribs will be provided on the other side of the cap. When the head and tank are assembled, these ribs cooperate with the inner surface of the skirt portion of the head 3 and compensate for any looseness between parts.

As shown in FIG. 5, the head 3 is provided with an opening 51 for receiving the back end of the lever 20 when assembled onto the cap 6 and an opening 52 for providing access to the fuel discharge nozzle 32. In addition, the head is provided with ignition mechanism comprising .a spark wheel 53, a fiint 54, a spring 55 for urging the flint against the spark wheel, and a retainer screw 56 for holding the flint in place.

When the ignition head is assembled onto the throwaway portion of the lighter, the skirt 50 will frictionally engage the ribs 5' and seat against the shoulder 14 as shown in FIG. 1. The tank 4 will, in turn, define the lower casing of the lighter, and all the parts normally subject to the usual wear and fatigue will be limited to this throwaway assembly which may be readily replaced when the supply of fuel has become depleted.

When it is desired to produce a flame, the lever 20 is depressed to release the valve cover 30, which being under the influence of the pressurized fuel within the tank, will slide upwardly on the nozzle to permit gas to escape through the discharge nozzle 32. Actuation of the spark wheel 51 will cause a spark and in turn this will cause ignition in the issuing gas. The length of the flame may be controlled by the degree to which the lever is depressed and, if desired, the regulating pin may be set to automatically control this depression through its movement into engagement with the top surface of the fuel tank. When the lever is released after the flame has been used for the intended purpose, the spring 22 will automatically move the lever in a clockwise direction as shown in FIG. 2 and the valve cover to its closed position and thereby prevent the escape of fuel until again actuated.

Although the preferred embodiment of the lighter assembly of the present invention has been described above, it is to be understood that various changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.

I claim:

1. A lighter assembly comprising:

(a) a fuel tank;

(b) a tank nozzle fixed to said tank;

(c) a passageway connecting the interior of said tank to one portion of said tank nozzle;

((1) a valve seat disposed on said tank nozzle around said one portion;

(e) a valve cover slidably disposed on said tank nozzle;

(f) a seating portion on the interior surface of said valve cover adapted to seat against said valve seat when said valve cover is in one position;

(g) a fuel discharge nozzle connecting the interior of said valve cover at a position spaced from said seating portion of the ambient atmosphere;

(h) a supply of fuel disposed within said fuel tank under a pressure sutficient to exert a force on the interior surface of said valve cover through said passageway to slide said cover on said tank nozzle away from said one position; and

(i) releasable means normally holding said valve cover in said one position against said force.

2. A lighter assembly comprising:

(a) a fuel tank for holding a supply of fuel under pressure;

(b) a tank nozzle fixed to said tank having a free end defining a valve seat;

(0) a passageway connecting the free end of said tank nozzle with the interior of said tank;

(d) a valve cover slidably disposed on said tank nozzle;

(e) a seating portion on the interior surface of said cover adapted to seat against said valve seat when in one position with the friction created by the sliding connection between said tank nozzle and valve cover being less than that required to hold said valve cover in'said one position against the force created by fuel under pressure in said passageway;

(f) a fuel discharge nozzle connecting the interior of said valve cover at a position spaced from said seating portion to the ambient atmosphere, and

(g) releasable means normally holding said cover in said one position.

'3. A lighter assembly according to claim 2 wherein said valve cover is comprised of neoprene having a durometer hardness of between about 70-80.

4. A lighter assembly according to claim 3 wherein said valve cover is generally cup-shaped with the closed end defining said seating portion and the open end in substantially complete circumferential engagement with said tank nozzle.

5. A lighter assembly according to claim 4 wherein said tank nozzle has a generally cylindrical outer surface slidably engaging said valve cover and a conically tapered free end defining said valve seat.

6. A lighter assembly according to claim 5 wherein said tank nozzle is spaced from said valve cover opposite said fuel discharge nozzle.

7. A lighter assembly according to claim 6 wherein said fuel discharge nozzle is comprised of brass press fit into said valve cover,

8. A lighter assembly according to claim 7 wherein said releasable control means includes a lever pivotally attached to said fuel tank and spring means disposed between said fuel tank and one end of said lever urging the other end thereof into engagement with said valve cover.

9. A lighter assembly according to claim 8 wherein:

(a) said fuel is liquid butane, and

(b) a wick member is disposed within said tank with one end in communication with said passagewayand the other end below the level of said fuel.

10. A lighter assembly according to claim 9 wherein:

(a) said fuel tank is comprised of molded plastic.

11. A lighter assembly comprising:

(a) a fuel tank for holding a supply of fuel under pressure;

(b) a tank nozzle fixed to said tank and having a free end defining a valve seat;

(0) a passageway connecting the free end of said tank nozzle with the interior of said tank;

(d) a valve cover disposed on said tank nozzle and having an open end in substantially complete circumferential engagement therewith and a closed end adapted to seat against said valve seat;

(e) a fuel discharge nozzle connecting the interior of said valve cover intermediate said ends with the embient atmosphere;

(f) releasable control means fixed to said tank for normally holding said valve cover in one position with the closed end thereof in engagement with said valve seat to close said passageway;

(g) a head member removably attached to said tank and substantially enclosing said valve cover, gas discharge nozzle, and control means;

(h) a first opening in said head member disposed opposite said fuel discharge nozzle;

(i) a second opening in said head member for receiving a portion of said control means; and

(j) ignition mechanism disposed in said head member for igniting fuel issuing from said discharge nozzle.

12. A lighter assembly comprising:

(a) a fuel tank for holding a supply of fuel under pressure; 4

(b) a tank nozzle fixed to said tank and having a free end defining a valve seat;

(0) a passageway connecting the free end of said tank nozzle with the interior of said tank;

(d) a valve cover slidably disposed on said tank nozzle;

(e) a seating portion on the interior surface of said cover adapted to seat against said valve seat when in one position with the friction created by the sliding connection between said tank nozzle and valve cover being less than that required to hold the valve cover in said one position against the force created by fuel under pressure in said passageway;

(f) a gas discharge nozzle connecting the interior of said valve cover at a position spaced from said seating portion to the ambient atmosphere;

(g) releasable control means normally holding said cover in said one position;

(h) a head member removably attached to said tank and substantially enclosing said valve cover, gas discharge nozzle, and control means;

(i) a first opening in said head member disposed opposite said fuel discharge nozzle;

(j) a second opening in said head member for receiving a portion of said control means, and

(k) ignition mechanism disposed in said head member for igniting fuel issuing from said discharge nozzle.

13. A lighter assembly according to claim 12 wherein:

(a) said tank nozzle has a tapered free end, and

(b) said valve cover is generally cup-shaped with the interior surface of the closed end defining said seating portion and the open end in substantially complete circumferential engagement with said tank nozzle.

14. A lighter assembly accordingto claim 13 wherein:

(a) said tank nozzle is spaced from said valve cover along a path extending between said tapered end and a point disposed opposite said fuel discharge nozzle.

15. A lighter assembly according to claim 14 wherein said valve cover is comprised of neoprene having a durometer hardness of between about 80.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,672,038 3/1964 Burchett 677.1 3,154,935 11/1 964 Ayres 67--7.1 3,161,034 12/1964 Meyers 67-7.1

EDWARD 1. MICHAEL, Primary Examiner. 

2. A LIGHTER ASSEMBLY COMPRISING: (A) A FUEL TANK FOR HOLDING A SUPPLY OF FUEL UNDER PRESSURE; (D) A TANK NOZZLE FIXED TO SAID TANK HAVING A FREE END DEFINING A VALVE SEAT; (C) A PASSAGEWAY CONNECTING THE FREE END OF SAID TANK NOZZLE WITH THE INTERIOR OF SAID TANK; (D) A VALVE COVER SLIDABLY DISPOSED ON SAID TANK NOZZLE; (E) A SEATING PORTION ON THE INTERIOR SURFACE OF SAID COVER ADAPTED TO SEAT AGAINST SAID VALVE SEAT WHEN IN ONE POSITION WITH THE FRICTION CREATED BY THE SLIDING CONNECTION BETWEEN SAID TANK NOZZLE AND VALVE COVER BEING LESS THAN THAT REQUIRED TO HOLD SAID VALVE COVER IN SAID ONE POSITION AGAINST THE FORCE CREATED BY FUEL UNDER PRESSURE IN SIAD PASSAGEWAY; 